Strange...is this a common problem? Although you're probably right, it seems counterintuitive to me, given how gradually the problem developed and lack of diagnostic flags.
The problem is the connector between the power button board and the motherboard. Cleaning didn't help. If you push down on the top right hand corner of the power button board and then push the power button it will usually turn on. Under the power button board is an aluminum shield with the screw mount attached. Take a flat blade screwdriver and GENTLY push the shield down on the right side by the crease. This will lower the screw mount and allow the male connector on the power button board to seat farther into the female motherboard socket. I tested repeatly and the power button appeared to function normaly.
I have a client with similar problem. The power botton on her D600 works intermittently. I'm wondering what dell tech support has to offer. Has anyone contact them? Also what will they do if the unit is out of warranty?
Thanks b0ater! That worked great!! I had purchased a new circuit board, thinking that would fix the issue, but it had the same exact problem. I took it back apart and bent down that metal plate with a flat head screw driver, and now the power button and lights work again!
Ok guys... I'm having this same problem. When you refer to the "aluminum shield" are you referring to the "chip cooler" shield? I'm not quite sure I'm understanding your directions for fixing the problem.
From what I remember, the metal plate that the button circuit board is attached too with screws, is also a part of the "chip cooler" shield. Take off the circuit board, and give that metal shield that sits under the button assembly a good little push with your finger, and it should have a little give. See how when you push it down, it gives more clearance by the motherboard connector that connects to the button circuit board?
It seems that over time the metal plate rises ever so slightly and prevents the circuit board connector from making a good connection with the mother board. So take a screw driver, and firmly but carefully push/bend that shield down a little bit. I bent the shield on my laptop down as far as I dared, screw.ed the pcb back into place, and the power button worked great.
It didn't fix the volume buttons, but I can live with that.
This is a REALLY old post, but b0ater nailed it. Bought new button board thinking it would fix the problem and did not. I just pushed the aluminum shield down ever so slightly and it worked.
ejn63
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October 25th, 2007 16:00
ixne
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October 25th, 2007 17:00
b0ater
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November 15th, 2007 12:00
myID621
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December 2nd, 2007 18:00
dest83
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May 3rd, 2008 02:00
Thanks b0ater! That worked great!! I had purchased a new circuit board, thinking that would fix the issue, but it had the same exact problem. I took it back apart and bent down that metal plate with a flat head screw driver, and now the power button and lights work again!
Thanks!!!
uksub
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June 3rd, 2008 17:00
dest83
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June 3rd, 2008 21:00
From what I remember, the metal plate that the button circuit board is attached too with screws, is also a part of the "chip cooler" shield. Take off the circuit board, and give that metal shield that sits under the button assembly a good little push with your finger, and it should have a little give. See how when you push it down, it gives more clearance by the motherboard connector that connects to the button circuit board?
It seems that over time the metal plate rises ever so slightly and prevents the circuit board connector from making a good connection with the mother board. So take a screw driver, and firmly but carefully push/bend that shield down a little bit. I bent the shield on my laptop down as far as I dared, screw.ed the pcb back into place, and the power button worked great.
It didn't fix the volume buttons, but I can live with that.
sl125
1 Message
0
January 6th, 2012 19:00
This is a REALLY old post, but b0ater nailed it. Bought new button board thinking it would fix the problem and did not. I just pushed the aluminum shield down ever so slightly and it worked.
Thanks.